5 Frequently Asked Questions about Homeschool Conferences

1. Why Should I Go to a Conference?

Attending a conference costs money and time, not to mention the effort we expend in preparation. As with anything, we need to weigh the costs and benefits to make a wise choice.

Consider the following benefits:

• Realize or reinforce your God-given calling to homeschool and its eternal impact on your family and the world.

• Gain new skills or insights about how to homeschool or how to tackle a stubborn problem area.

• Receive inspiration to remind you of your reasons for homeschooling and renew your commitment to endure difficulties.

• Connect with other like-minded people for support and friendships that may last a lifetime.

• Inspect and compare a variety of curricula to choose products that match the learning needs of your children.

• Look ahead and see what is possible as you homeschool your children through high school.

• Have fun!

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2. Who Should Go to the Conference?

I can’t recommend a one size fits all answer to this question, but let’s consider various factors that will impact your decision.

• Obviously, the one managing the homeschooling should attend, but what about spouses? Conferences often provide workshops geared to the individual needs of each parent. Sometimes, there are classes that focus on healthy marriages that couples attend together. When spouses go, both parents understand the bigger picture of the homeschooling venture and find unity as they move into the next school year.

• Many statewide conferences offer tracks for children and teens. These classes can be a time for making new friends and showing students they’re part of a large community of diverse people.

• Some folks bring children even if there’s no specific programming for them. The kids enjoy the amenities of the hotel (if you’re staying for multiple days), and they tag along to various workshops. Older children can look at the curriculum and offer input. Younger children are busy themselves while sitting next to their parents during the sessions.

• Often, parents use the homeschool conference as a time of respite. If you have the support of family or friends who will take care of your children for a couple of days, the conference is a good opportunity to grow closer as a couple as you pursue your God-given calling of homeschooling.

• If you don’t have anyone to go with you to a conference, go anyway. Commit to finding at least one new friend along the way.

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3. What Should I Expect at a Homeschool Conference?

Conferences vary in size and scope, but most hold some common elements.

• Breakout Sessions. Statewide or multi-state conferences can be huge, with hundreds of attendees and many speakers. They often offer breakout sessions for various groups, such as teens or parents of children with special needs and abilities. As a mama of a daughter with Down syndrome, I always signed up for these useful meetings to network and learn.

• Vendors. Many conferences invite vendors of homeschool products to display their wares. This gives you an excellent opportunity to examine the curriculum, unit studies, educational games, and art supplies and purchase them as needed. Be wary of the temptation to impulse buy and bust your budget.

•Keynote Speakers. Most conferences have one or more speakers who present to the entire body of attendees in the same room. Often, this is where you’ll find visionary ideas and inspiration to persevere in your homeschool journey.

• Workshops. Workshops are narrow topical presentations given in smaller venues to smaller groups of people. They may be geared towards an age group, a particular curriculum, or a style of learning. Often, these talks are recorded and available for purchase.

• Social Activities. Some conferences have social events and meet-ups for parents and/or kids. Take advantage of these opportunities to put yourself out there and meet new people. Gather contact information to stay connected throughout the year.

• Graduation Ceremony and College Fair. Even if you’re not yet at this stage of life, consider poking your head in on one of these activities to catch the vision of a possible future for your child.

• Hotel Stay. At a multi-day conference, you can book a hotel room for the duration of the event. While this option may be more expensive than smaller hotels in the surrounding area, the convenience may be worth the cost. Being close to the action allows for a quiet place for breaks or depositing your purchases. A room on site also gives you easy access throughout the day to food and rest. If the hotel cost stretches your budget, check nearby hotels for cheaper rates. Remember to consider the cost of parking and inconvenience as you choose between options.

Whatever the size of the conference you attend, accept that you will probably feel overwhelmed. Remember, you don’t need to do everything on the schedule. Move at a pace that fits your needs.

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4. How Can I Prepare to Have a Productive Conference?

• Pray. Ask God to guide you to people you need to meet and learn from. You may also look for directions about curriculum and choices for the next homeschooling year. God knows the future and your personal needs, so rely on His wisdom.

• Set expectations for your children. If you’re taking kids to the conference, they need to understand your expectations for their behavior. For older children, discuss what they will be doing and set rules about where and when they may be on their own. Our children should be respectful of adults, polite with peers, and quiet in sessions. They should treat the hotel property with care and refrain from running and playing in the elevators. If they won’t be with you all the time, review the time and place you will meet. You don’t want to waste your conference time looking for children because you didn’t communicate well.

For younger children, make bags with a variety of quiet activities to keep them occupied during sessions. As you plan your schedule, alternate quiet times with activities to get their ya-yas out. Bring snacks in zipper bags to dole out as needed. Strollers are useful, but they may be unwieldy for navigating crowded spaces. Some conferences discourage their use in vendor areas. You can build nap time for little ones into the schedule.

• Investigate and plan for parking options. If parking is far from the entrance, try to carry in everything you’ll need for the day to minimize trips to and from the car.

• Consider your goals for the conference. Your goals will help you choose the agenda for the day(s) of the conference. Some people need to purchase a curriculum, while others want to learn about a particular subject or type of homeschooling. Sometimes, meeting and talking to people takes precedence. Others look for inspiration to revive their commitment to homeschooling. Perhaps you need help to make a change or follow through on a decision. If you’re not sure of your goals, remember to continue to pray. God knows every detail about the coming year and will give you insights.

• Research curriculum options. Many people purchase new and used curricula at conferences. If you plan to peruse the curriculum fairs, you will benefit from making a list of products you’re considering. Take note of vendors and pricing. Consider the cost of shipping as well. This list will help you find the right products at the best prices.

• Commit to avoid comparisons. At my first conference, I thought the other families seemed to have it all together. I walked away feeling inadequate, and my comparisons almost derailed me from God’s calling for my family. Comparisons to anything other than our Savior, Jesus, always provoke pride or envy in us. We can learn from other families, but we do well to remember our goal is to please God rather than try to measure up to a human standard.

• Set a budget. A budget helps us to avoid impulse buying at the curriculum fair. Every product seems to be the “next greatest thing.” While the item may indeed by excellent, it may not be right for your needs at this time. The budget helps us to prioritize our shopping dollars.

• Choose practical clothing. Inevitably, temperatures will vary from room to room at the conference. Wearing layered clothing helps us to adjust when one room seems like a freezer and another like the tropics. Also, wear comfortable shoes because larger conferences usually have lots of walking. Just in case, I always carry a few bandages for blisters.

• Map out a plan. Large conferences offer a wide variety of programming. If you look at the opportunities before you arrive, you will make productive use of your time. I start this process by circling every workshop or speaker I want to hear. I have a learner with special needs, so I take advantage of any sessions to help me in that area.

Then I look on the schedule for those speakers. Often, two will occupy the same time slot. If my husband comes to the conference with me, we consider going to separate workshops. Later, we’ll share with each other what we learned.

Keep in mind that conferences often offer recordings of workshops for sale at a reasonable price. If you’re able to add these to your budget, you can plan to listen to the speakers later.

• Pack snacks to save money on concessions. Food is usually available for purchase at conferences, but the cost may strain your budget. To save money, pack a refillable water bottle for each family member. Throw in a few healthy snacks as well. Some folks save the cost of eating at restaurants by bringing a cooler of food and a crockpot to make meals in the hotel room.

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5. What Are Some Extra Tips and Tricks?

• If you have a learner with special needs, prioritize sessions that address them. This is where you’ll connect with people who may become lifelong traveling buddies on the homeschool journey.

• Choose at least one session or activity that sets your sights on the next stage of homeschooling. Thinking about the next level helps us to be intentional in dreaming and planning for our kids.

• Before you buy anything, walk through the book fair to look at all the products. Take notes about location and pricing of items you think you need. Then evaluate your desires and decide which would be best for your family.

• If possible, set aside a budget to purchase Christmas presents at the curriculum fair. You’ll be amazed at the fun and educational products for sale. Why not check off your holiday shopping early?

• Make labels with your name, address, and email address. When you want to sign up for a vendor or speaker’s mailing list, save time by using the label. You can also give the labels to new friends to exchange information.

• Have all family members wear matching shirts (or the same color) so you can easily spot your kids in a crowd.

• If a conference has a used curriculum sale, you may be able to purchase an older version of a book at a fraction of the cost. Be sure to check if any consumable part of the product is still available for purchase.

• Take time to rest during the conference.

• At the end of the conference, allot time to reflect and journal about anything that inspired you in your calling to homeschool. These thoughts help to sustain your commitment throughout the year.

Find a conference today:

As your homeschool year winds down, give yourself the gift of a homeschool conference to refresh your calling. If you’re not familiar with the conferences near you, check with your state homeschool organization.

I hope these suggestions help you make the most of your experience. What would you add to my list?

Related Resource: Unlocking Success: Maximizing Homeschool Conferences for Every Learner

In this episode of the Empowering Homeschool Conversations, join our five co-hosts as they delve into the essential strategies for unlocking success at homeschool conferences, tailored specifically for parents of struggling learners. Drawing from their collective experiences and insider insights, they share invaluable tips, practical advice, and empowering anecdotes to help you make the most out of your conference experience and support your child's unique educational journey. Whether you're a seasoned attendee or a first-time visitor, this episode equips you with the tools and confidence to navigate homeschool conferences with purpose and passion.

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